Preparation of magnetic hydroxyapatite clusters and their application in the enrichment of phosphopeptides

A novel strategy for the effective enrichment of phosphopeptides based on magnetic hydro‐xyapatite (HAp) clusters was developed in the current study. The structure of HAp ensures its probable separation capability, including cation exchange with P‐sites (negatively charged pairs of crystal phosphates), calcium coordination, anion exchange with C‐sites (positively charged pairs of crystal calcium ions). The prepared magnetic HAp clusters showed good performance on the efficient enrichment of phosphopeptides from the digestion mixture of β‐casein and BSA. Compared to commercial HAp particles, the magnetic HAp clusters exhibited better selectivity toward phosphopeptides. In addition, the use of magnetic material greatly simplified the enrichment procedure, which avoided the tedious centrifugation steps in a typical phosphopeptides enrichment protocol. Finally, the material was successfully applied in the enrichment of phosphopeptides from human serum. Taken together, the efficient enrichment of the phosphopeptides by the easily prepared magnetic HAp clusters demonstrated a rapid and convenient strategy for the purification of phosphopeptides from complex samples, which may facilitate protein phosphorylation studies.